By Mark Marotta
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Members of the Ann’s Choice Political Interest Group have their work cut out for them as Election Day approaches November 4.

“We try to bring voting information to the residents,” says Russell McLaughlin, who chaired the group last year. “It’s a nonpartisan organization.”

Candidates’ nights
According to its bylaws, the purpose of the Political Interest Group is to provide residents with information for forming political opinions and to help with the election process.

“A major part of that is bringing in candidates [to Ann’s Choice],” McLaughlin says.

At a recent meeting the group worked out details for two candidates’ nights in October.  Three of the candidates running in the local congressional district —Democratic incumbent Patrick Murphy; Republican Tom Manion; and Tom Lingenfelter, an independent—agreed to come October 13. The event for general assembly candidates is planned for three days later. An attempt has also been made to line up participation by the Presidential candidates. As of press time, that has not been confirmed.

“I’ve been trying to pin the candidates down,” says Chairman Walter Farley.

In past events, the candidates made statements up to five minutes long and then answered questions prepared by the Political Interest Group and other residents. McLaughlin says candidates will be able to leave literature on a table set up outside the area where the event will be taking place.

Other activities
McLaughlin says candidates’ nights, like other political events on campus, involve plenty of work. “Everybody  pitches in,” he says.

Leading up to Election Day, the group sends flyers to residents with information about the location of their polling place, says Secretary Sally Rosen-Plon. And McLaughlin adds that some Political Interest Group members are among the volunteers who help out around the polling place.